Athletic garment with perspiration absorption towel

ABSTRACT

A jersey for management of perspiration having a perspiration absorption towel. The perspiration absorption towel is removably or permanently affixed along the front interior of the collar of the jersey. The perspiration absorption towel has a collar-region width less than the collar width by an amount which optimizes access to and removability of the perspiration absorption towel. The perspiration absorption towel has a length which relative to the collar-region width which balances usefulness and ease of return to the non-use position of the perspiration absorption towel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to non-provisional patent applicationSer. No. 15/644,617 entitled “Athletic attire with integratedperspiration absorbing material” filed Jul. 7, 2017 by the presentinventor, which in turn claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/440,996 filed Dec. 30, 2016 by the presentinventor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to garments and apparel, moreparticularly sports/athletic garments and apparel, and still moreparticularly sports/athletic garments and apparel with perspirationcontrol components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the present specification, the terms “garments” and “apparel” areused synonymously and interchangeably. Similarly, the terms “sports” and“athletic” are used synonymously and the terms “shirt” and “jersey” areused synonymously and interchangeably in the present specification.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the present invention may beused for perspiration-inducing recreational activities of any sort.Furthermore, it is to be understood that “towel” is meant to refer toany sort of moisture absorbing cloth or material.

Because of the high performance requirements of athletes,sports/athletic apparel must be designed for optimum functionality. Thisis particularly true for professional athletes who operate at the verylimits of human capability where fractions of a second and/or fractionsof an inch may mean the difference between success and failure, i.e.,winning and losing. Factors which must be considered in the design ofathletic garments and apparel include freedom of movement, ventilation,weight, heat retention, perspiration repellence or perspirationretention, durability, etc. Often these factors having competing needsor requirements and a balance must be found in their optimization.

A challenge athletes in many sports face is the management ofperspiration during play or in intermissions. This is particularly anissue with perspiration on the brow and forehead which might drip intothe eyes and obscure vision, thereby putting the player at a momentarydisadvantage or possibly even producing a safety hazard. Traditionally,perspiration control has been managed by athletes excusing themselvesfrom play to make use of a towel/cloth. However, this requiresinterruption of play—or if done without interruption of play, distractsthe player from play. One sport where perspiration management isparticularly an issue is basketball, where play is very active andcontinues uninterrupted for extended periods of time. In basketball,players will commonly use portions of their jersey to wipe perspirationfrom the vicinity of their eyes in the moments after points are scoredor while jogging down-court. Typical jerseys are made of polyester,which is a non-absorbent material and somewhat abrasive, and repeatedwiping may cause irritation to the skin around the eyes. It should alsobe noted that perspiration management can be a safety issue, such as inbasketball where moisture on the playing surface may cause players toslip. One situation which is particularly problematic is at the freethrow line in basketball, where players are required to stand for longerperiods of time while shooting free throws, and so perspiration tends todrip from their body and face and accumulate on the playing surfacethere, presenting a particular slipping hazard at that location. Butsports jerseys such as basketball jerseys are generally made ofmaterials, such as 100% polyester fabric, having limited absorptioncapabilities. The absorption of typical jerseys is further reduced bythe use of thin fabrics for their construction.

Various attempts have been made to provide means of perspiration controlvia implements attached to articles of clothing, and previously filedpatents exist that describe such implements. However, these patents donot provide an adequate solution that combines the necessary anddesirable features of accessibility, ease of use, effectiveness,unobtrusiveness and concealability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,901describes an athletic shirt wherein one or more pieces of absorbentmaterial are permanently stitched or sewn into the inside of thegarment, but the permanent nature of the installations requires thewearer to lift the entire garment above the face and makes reaching thehead, neck, and arms impractical and revealing of the chest and otherparts of the body, which would in many cases be undesirable, especiallyfor female wearers. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,236 describes anarticle of lower body wear such as a skirt or shorts with a detachablesheet of absorbing material in the form of a towel. However, theplacement of this towel on the lower part of the body requires that thesheet be completely detached in order to be used for the head, neck,face and arms, and then replaced, which can be impractical, requires thewearer to stop and focus on detaching the towel and replacing it whendone, and poses a risk of the towel dropping to the ground and becomingsoiled and/or posing a slipping or tripping hazard. U.S. Pat. No.4,768,236 describes a towel-like appendage secured to the outside of anupper body garment at the back side whose placement presents asignificant encumbrance to easily accessing the appendage for the wearerunless the appendage is of sufficient width to span the majority of thewearer's back, thereby requiring the appendage to be bulky and heavy.Placing the appendage on the back. also makes the appendagecounterproductive to ameliorating perspiration since the wearer's backis now covered by an extra layer of material which promotes heatretention. Other patents describe athletic garments outfitted withnon-removable strips or patches of hydrophilic material which serve towick away moisture from the wearer's skin, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,769,716 and 8,360,816. However, such garments are of limited utilitysince the moisture wicking material must be integrated into the garmentand be predominantly skin-tight to be effective and thus do not allowthe wearer to use the garment to remove perspiration from areas such asthe face and neck.

The present invention addresses these challenges by providing a toweldesigned for perspiration absorption which is attached to a sportsgarment in such a way as to be easily accessible, easy to use,effective, easily replaceable after use for subsequent use,concealability, and unobtrusiveness.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towelfor management or alleviation of the accumulation of perspiration.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide atowel affixed to a sports garment for use in alleviation of theaccumulation of perspiration.

Still more particularly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a towel for management of the accumulation of perspiration wheresuch means is affixed to a shirt or jersey.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towelaffixed to a sports garment for management of the accumulation ofperspiration which can be quickly and easily accessed and utilized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a towel affixedto a sports garment for management of the accumulation of perspirationwhich can be readily returned to a non-use position.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide aperspiration absorption towel affixed to a sports garment where theperspiration absorption towel optimally wicks and/or absorbs, includingstrategic placement of non-absorbing or water-repellant or non-wickingregions.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide aperspiration absorption towel affixed to a sports garment where theperspiration absorption towel has a shape and a size such that it iseasily removable from the garment, easily and effectively used to removeperspiration from critical areas, and easily returned to the interior ofthe garment.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be obvious from the descriptionor may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects andadvantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a perspiration management jersey for use inathletics having a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on aplayer, and a perspiration absorption towel attached at the collar,where the perspiration absorption towel has a width in the collar regionwhich is less than the width of the collar.

Alternatively, the present invention is a perspiration management jerseyfor use in athletics having a jersey portion adapted to be worn as ashirt on a player, and a perspiration absorption towel attached at thecollar, the perspiration absorption towel having two layers, a moistureabsorption layer and a water-proof layer. When the perspirationabsorption towel is hanging inside the jersey and worn by the player,the water-proof layer is located between the player and the moistureabsorption layer to prevent perspiration on the player's chest frombeing absorbed by the moisture absorption layer. But when theperspiration absorption towel is pulled out of the jersey and upwards,the moisture absorption layer is located between the player and thewater-proof layer so that the player can use the perspiration absorptiontowel to absorb moisture on the player's brow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description given above and the detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an athletic shirt with an affixedperspiration absorption towel according to the present invention, wherethe perspiration absorption towel is in a non-use position inside theshirt and therefore not visible.

FIG. 2A shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with aperspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a firstembodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorptiontowel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 2B shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with aperspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a secondembodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorptiontowel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 2C shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with aperspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorptiontowel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 3A shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of a top portionof the shirt and perspiration absorption towel with the towel inside theshirt and against the chest of the player.

FIG. 3B shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of the topportion of the shirt and perspiration absorption towel with the towel ofFIG. 3A outside the shirt and in the vicinity of the face of the player.

FIG. 4 shows an athlete wearing the athletic shirt of the presentinvention and utilizing the perspiration absorption towel to removeperspiration from the brow and forehead.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up x-ray view of a hand reaching into the shirt tograsp the perspiration absorption towel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A front view of an athletic jersey (100) with affixed perspirationabsorption towel according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.The towel is in a non-use position inside the jersey (100) and istherefore not visible. X-ray views of the jersey (100) of FIG. 1 areshown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C for the three preferred embodiments. Theperspiration absorption towels (150 a), (150 b) and (150 c) are shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively, in dashed lines because they areobscured by the jersey (100). (Perspiration absorption towels (150 a),(150 b), and (150 c) will be referred to generically with the referencenumeral (150).) The jersey (100) has a collar line (102), sleeves (105)and a bottom hem (110). In the x-ray views of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, theperspiration absorption towel (150) is visible through the fabric of thejersey (100) for the purpose of illustration of the shape and positionof the perspiration absorption towels (150 a) and (150 b) when not inuse. The perspiration absorption towel (150) is affixed to the jersey(100) across an attachment region (170). In the attachment region (170)there is a bonding on the inside of the jersey (100) between the topborder (169) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) and inside ofthe front collar (102). According to one preferred embodiment theperspiration absorption towel (150) is a microfiber cooling towel, suchas those manufactured by Mission, LLC.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, theattachment mechanism is a removable attachment means, as might beprovided by a hook-and-loop attachment, such as Velcro® brand fastenermanufactured by Velcro of the United Kingdom. This provides theadvantage of allowing the towel (150) to be separated from the jersey(100) and washed separately. This also provides the advantage thatduring a break in play, a towel (150) which is saturated withperspiration can be swapped for a fresh towel that has not yet absorbedperspiration. However, a possible disadvantage of using a hook-and-loopattachment means, such as Velcro®, is that this adds some bulk to thecollar region (102) of the shirt (100).

An alternate removable attachment is a magnetic attachment, preferablyusing neodymium magnets or the like, which will reduce bulk relative toa hook-and-loop type attachment. Another alternate removable attachmentis a buttons-type or snaps-type attachment. A buttons-type attachmentwill reduce bulk relative to a hook-and-loop type attachment, butcreating the attachment or undoing it cannot be achieved as quickly.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, theperspiration absorption towel (150) is sewn in the interior of thecollar region (102) at the front of the jersey (100). The sewnattachment is non-removable, but the advantage of this sewn attachmentis that it minimizes bulk in the collar region (170).

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2A, according to a first embodimentof the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) hasstraight, parallel sides (151) and has a width W_(T) and a length L_(T).It should be noted that the width W_(T) of the perspiration absorptiontowel (150) is less than the width W_(C) of the collar (102) of thejersey (100), i.e., W_(T)<W_(C). Preferably W_(T)<W_(C)−2*W_(x) whereW_(x) is an inset width from each side which is preferably between 3 cmand 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm, and still morepreferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. (According to a first preferredmethod, widths W_(T) and W_(C) are measured when the jersey (100) isflattened and viewed in plan view. According to a second preferredmethod, widths W_(T) and W_(C) are measured when the jersey (100) isworn and viewed from straight ahead.) Having the width W_(T) of theperspiration absorption towel (150) less than the width W_(C) of thecollar (102), particularly by the amounts within the preferred ranges,is advantageous because, as shown in the close-up x-ray view of FIG. 5,this facilitates grasping of the perspiration absorption towel (150). InFIG. 5 the portion of the pointer finger (501) which would be obscuredby the jersey (100) is shown in dashed lines, and the portion of theperspiration absorption towel (150) which would be obscured by thejersey (100) and the pointer finger (501) is shown in dashed lines. Theplayer may for instance reach with his or her right arm across the chestand hook the left side of the perspiration absorption towel (150) withthe pointer finger (501) and remove it from the interior of the jersey(100). Alternatively, another digit of the hand may be used. Forinstance, the thumb of the right hand may be used to hook the right sideof the perspiration absorption towel (150) and remove it from theinterior of the jersey (100).

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2B, according to a second embodimentof the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) isflared. The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a narrower topregion (151) having a top width W_(T1) and a wider bottom region (152)having a bottom width W_(T2). The perspiration absorption towel (150)has a length L_(T). It should be noted that the top width W_(T1) of theperspiration absorption towel (150) is less than the width W_(C) of thecollar (102) of the jersey (100), i.e., W_(T1)<W_(C). PreferablyW_(T1)<W_(C)−2*W_(x) where W_(x) is an inset width from each side whichis preferably between 3 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and6.5 cm, and still more preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. Having the topwidth W_(T1) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) less than thewidth W_(C) of the collar (102), particularly by the amounts within thepreferred ranges, is advantageous because this facilitates grasping ofthe perspiration absorption towel (150), as shown in the close-up x-rayview of FIG. 5 and discussed above.

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2C, according to a third embodimentof the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) has anindent (180) on each side a short distance below the attachment region(170). The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a narrower top region(151) having a top width W_(T1) and a wider bottom region (152) having abottom width W_(T2). The perspiration absorption towel (150) has alength L_(T). It should be noted that the top width W_(T1) of theperspiration absorption towel (150) is less than the width W_(C) of thecollar (102) of the jersey (100), i.e., W_(T1)<W_(C). PreferablyW_(T1)<W_(C)−2*W_(x) where W_(x) is an inset width from each side whichis preferably between 3 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and6.5 cm, and still more preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. Having the topwidth W_(T1) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) less than thewidth W_(C) of the collar (102), particularly by the amounts within thepreferred ranges, is advantageous because this facilitates grasping ofthe perspiration absorption towel (150), as shown in the close-up x-rayview of FIG. 5 and discussed above. Grasping of the perspirationabsorption towel (150) is further facilitated by an indent (180) on eachside of depth W_(X2) of roughly 2.5 cm. The indents (180) begin at alength L_(X) of roughly 2 cm below the level of the bottom (103) of thecollar (102).

FIG. 4 shows an athlete (400) wearing the athletic jersey (100) of thepresent invention and utilizing the perspiration absorption towel (150)to remove perspiration from the brow and forehead (21). In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C the length of the perspirationabsorption towel (150) from the bottom (103) of the collar (102) to thebottom (155) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is a towellength L_(T). According to the present invention, the towel length L_(T)is preferably between 2 and 4 times the collar width W_(C), and morepreferably the towel length L_(T) is between 2.5 and 3.5 times thecollar width W_(C). These preferred ranges of the ratio of the towellength L_(T) to the collar width W_(C) generate the best balance of (i)providing sufficient material in the perspiration absorption towel (150)to absorb considerable perspiration, (ii) providing sufficient length ofthe perspiration absorption towel (150) to allow the perspirationabsorption towel (150) to be used to reach critical areas in thevicinity of the eyes such as the brow (21), and (iii) being short enoughso as to allow the perspiration absorption towel (150) to be easilyreturned to the interior of the jersey (100).

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional side view of the top portion of thejersey (100) with the perspiration absorption towel (150) according tothe present invention hanging from the attachment region (170) on theinside of the jersey (100). As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the towel (150)has two layers (158) and (159). The layer (158) adjacent the jersey(100) is an absorption layer, and the layer (159) to the inside of theabsorption layer (158) and adjacent the chest (10) of the player is awater-proof layer, i.e., a moisture impermeable layer. Having thewater-proof layer (159) adjacent the chest (10) prevents perspirationfrom the player's chest from being absorbed into the absorption layer(158) when the towel (150) is in its non-use position inside the jersey(100). This extends the period of time the perspiration absorption towel(150) can be used. For instance, this keeps the absorption layer (158)dry until it is first needed for use.

FIG. 3B shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of the topportion of the jersey (100) and perspiration absorption towel (150) withthe perspiration absorption towel (150) outside the jersey (100) and inthe vicinity of the face of the player. The scale in FIG. 3B is warpedin that the thickness of the jersey (100) and the towel (150) (as wellas the layers (158) and (159) within the perspiration absorption towel(150)) is exaggerated for clarity of depiction. As can be seen from FIG.3B, when the perspiration absorption towel (150) is pulled out of thejersey (100) the absorptive layer (158) is adjacent the face (20) of theplayer so the absorptive layer (158) can be used to absorb perspirationfrom the vicinity of the eyes, such as the brow (21), of the player.

Although the perspiration absorption towel (150) of the presentinvention, and particularly the absorption layer (158), are described asbeing absorptive, it should be noted that the perspiration absorptiontowel (150) may also include a wicking layer or wicking materials. Forinstance, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention,the absorption layer (158) may be located between a wicking layer (notshown) and the water-proof layer (159). Or alternatively, theperspiration absorption towel (150) may not include a water-proof layer(159). It should be understood that what is important is that theperspiration absorption towel (150), whether made of a wicking materialor an absorbent material, has hydrophilic properties which allows it toremove perspiration from the wearer.

It should be noted that neither the parent application to the presentapplication nor any of the references cited in the parent applicationteach the disclosed relationships between the width of the collar (102)and dimensions of the towel (150). This is because these ranges are theresult of not routine experimentation, but rather insight and hundredsof hours of use and refinement by applicant

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and it should be understoodthat many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable those skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. Many other variations arepossible. For example: the perspiration absorption towel may be longerthan the length depicted, such as extending to the bottom hem of thejersey; the shirt/jersey may or may not have sleeves; the perspirationabsorption towel may have a shape other than what is described; theperspiration absorption towel may have be of only a single layer;perspiration absorption towel may have more than two layers; theperspiration absorption towel may not be attached to the shirt at thecollar; the present invention may be applied to football jerseys whereshoulder pads would make access to the perspiration absorption toweleasier; the present invention may be adapted for use with a sports bra;the present invention may be adapted for use with a unitard; a portionof the perspiration absorption towel may be made of a material which canprovide cooling; a portion of the perspiration absorption towel may belocated to the outside of the garment; the colors of the perspirationabsorption towel may match the colors of the jersey; the bottom of theperspiration absorption towel may extend to nearer the bottom hem of thejersey; the invention may be used in non-sports, non-athletic, ornon-recreational settings; the invention may be applied to a garmentsuch as a tank top, polo-style button collared shirt, tube top or haltertop shirt, military uniform, and so on; the perspiration absorptiontowel may have a length allowing it to absorb moisture on the top of thehead, back of the head, shoulders and/or arms; the perspirationabsorption towel may be on the exterior of an interior garment; theperspiration absorption towel may include a string or strip of materialon one or both sides which extends from the top of the perspirationabsorption towel to the bottom to facilitate removal of the entirety ofthe perspiration absorption towel, and particularly the bottom of theperspiration absorption towel, from the jersey; etc.

Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention should bedetermined not by the embodiments illustrated or the physical analysesmotivating the illustrated embodiments, but rather by the appendedClaims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A perspiration management jersey for use inathletics, comprising: a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt ona player and having a collar, and a perspiration absorption towelattached at said collar, said perspiration absorption towel having atowel collar-region width in a region near said collar, said towelcollar-region width being less than said collar width.
 2. Theperspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said perspirationmanagement jersey is attached inside said jersey portion.
 2. Theperspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towelcollar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an insetwidth where said inset width is between 3 cm and 7 cm.
 3. Theperspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towelcollar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an insetwidth where said inset width is between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm.
 4. Theperspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towelcollar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an insetwidth where said inset width is between 4 cm and 6 cm.
 5. Theperspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said towel has a towellength from a top point which reaches said collar to a bottom point,said towel length being between 2 and 4 times said towel collar-regionwidth.
 6. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein saidtowel has a towel length from a top point which reaches said collar to abottom point, said towel length being between 2.5 and 3.5 times saidtowel collar-region width.
 7. The perspiration management jersey ofclaim 1 wherein colors of said towel match colors of said jerseyportion.
 8. A perspiration management jersey for use in athletics,comprising: a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on a playerand having a collar, and a perspiration absorption towel attached atsaid collar, said perspiration absorption towel having two layers, amoisture absorption layer and a water-proof layer, when saidperspiration absorption towel is hanging inside said jersey and worn bysaid player, said water-proof layer being located between said playerand said moisture absorption layer to prevent perspiration from thechest of said player from being absorbed by said moisture absorptionlayer, and when pulled out of said jersey and upwards, said moistureabsorption layer is located between said player and said water-prooflayer so as to allow said player to absorb moisture on the player's browwith said moisture absorption layer.